Finch

Walking into Finch at the historic Stockton Inn, the wine list feels like it was put together by someone who actually likes wine — not just someone who needed to fill a page. It's focused, coherent, and leans confidently into California, France, and Italy, which is exactly the right move for a room this elegant. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2025, and the list earns it.

The 100-150 bottle list covers the classics without being boring about it — Napa Cabernet, Burgundy Pinot Noir, Barolo, Barbaresco, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Super Tuscans, and Rhône selections all show up with purpose. It reads like a list that was designed to complement the braised short rib and house-made pasta, not just impress someone scanning for trophy bottles. The French and Italian sections have real depth for a restaurant this size, and the Rhône Valley presence is a welcome addition that a lot of similarly positioned lists just ignore. Gaps exist — South America and Iberia are largely absent — but that's a quibble, not a complaint.

Ten to sixteen options by the glass at $12–$18 is a respectable spread for a room this intimate. The range tracks the bottle list — expect Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and something from the Rhône alongside a California red or two. No wild rotation or adventurous pours, but what's there is solid and priced fairly for this corner of New Jersey.